Oglethorpe bans trucks from county roads
LEXINGTON — Truckers passing through Oglethorpe County will need to stick to the state roads, Oglethorpe County commissioners declared at their Monday night meeting.

Railroad crossing repairs to close three streets
Workers with CSX Transportation will close three Athens streets this week to work on railroad crossings, a spokeswoman for the Athens-Clarke Transportation and Public Works Department said this morning.

Laptop, electronics stolen from office
A burglar threw a cinder block through the window of a chiropractor's office on Cedar Rock Trace sometime between 12 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. Saturday and stole a computer worth $5,000 and other electronics valued at $750, Athens-Clarke police said.

Team of burglars caught on roadway
A man and woman made off with beer, chips and cash after they burglarized a home off Spring Valley Road on Sunday afternoon, but officers nabbed them as they drove away in a car a few miles away on the Athens Perimeter, Athens-Clarke police said.

Virginia man dies in wreck on I-85
A Virginia man was killed Sunday when the pickup he was driving ran into the back of a tractor-trailer truck on Interstate 85 in Franklin County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Rings, computer taken from store
Someone broke out the glass front door to the Gig Worn clothing store located on West Hancock Avenue sometime between 7 p.m. Thursday and 12:45 p.m. Saturday and stole a laptop worth $1,000, four rings worth a total of $80 and a cash drawer worth $20, Athens-Clarke police said.

Thieves hit three homes over the weekend
Burglars forced open the front door of a home in the 100 block of Towns Walk Drive between 8 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday and stole a refrigerator valued at $2,000, Athens-Clarke police said.

Cash missing from music school
Someone stole $6,566 from the University of Georgia's School of Music between 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and noon Thursday, UGA police said Monday.

Exercise bikes taken from Ramsey Center
Two stationary bicycles were stolen from a storage room at the University of Georgia's Ramsey Center while the Ramsey fitness center was being renovated, UGA police said.

AC units taken from vacant home
Thieves stole two air conditioning units with a total value of $1,000 from a vacant home in the 100 block of Chesterton Drive between 2 p.m. Aug. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Athens-Clarke police said.

Hoschton man becomes fourth in Senate 47 race
A Hoschton businessman joined an increasingly crowded race Monday for an open Athens-area state Senate seat. Kelley Gary is the fourth Republican to announce he's running for the 47th District seat.

Qualifying begins in municipal elections
Candidate qualifying starts this month for dozens of city council and mayoral positions that will be up for grabs in November in municipal elections across Northeast Georgia.

Haden wants to spell Tebow for Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Step aside Tim Tebow. Defending national champion Florida has another quarterback ready to take snaps this season. And it's not John Brantley, the No. 2 guy on the depth chart.

Spurrier taking reins on play calls
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Make no mistake: Steve Spurrier's in charge of South Carolina's attack. "I'll be responsible for the playcalling, how's that?" Spurrier said Sunday. For many Gamecocks fans, that's just what they wanted to hear.

Tide's Jones doesn't seek spotlight
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A Terrell Owens he isn't. Alabama receiver Julio Jones is all about big plays, not sound bites. "This is just how I am," he said Sunday at the Crimson Tide's media day. "This is me all day every day. I'm not going to change for anybody. This is what you get."

Clemson penalized for practice attire
CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson has run afoul of the NCAA fashion police. The Tigers were docked two preseason practices for wearing improper attire at its first two workouts last week.

William R. Spencer: Local Salvation Army asks for help
Recently, the Athens Salvation Army Family Store on Hawthorne Avenue was damaged by fire. The entire inventory was lost to smoke, water and heat damage. However, due to the tireless work of the store's manager and employees, the store has been open utilizing the sidewalk and parking lot until the interior renovations are complete.

Anne Sheridan: Photo caught essence of teaching
Thanks to Banner-Herald photographer Tricia Spaulding for capturing the picture of Clarke County teacher Jan Neubauer and student James Johnson for Friday's front page. What a wonderful way to start the day - seeing the joy and happiness on Neubauer's face as she greeted James.

Jo Ellen Oliver: Disabled should have more options
I have followed with interest the debate about the planned community for the disabled proposed for a Winterville tract (Story, "Ambitious jobs-for-disabled plan raises questions," Wednesday). I applaud the planners and hope they can fulfill their dream.

David H. Hunter: What's the rush on health reform?
The Obama administration and the Democrat leadership of Congress seem to be in a big hurry to pass comprehensive "health care" legislation that actually will not be implemented for several years. The House bill is not yet completed, nor has it been read by many of our representatives. The Senate bill has not even been written yet.

Ed Wilde: Keep health care debate civil
The organized protests that have been taking place at forums set up to discuss health care reform may be citizens exercising their constitutional right to speak out in opposition to the health care bill, but by their acts of intimidation, physical threats and shouting down other speakers, they are trying to deny everyone else the right to discuss the issues. This is not American democracy; these are Gestapo tactics.

A graveyard of ships found off Sweden
STOCKHOLM - The fire began in the galley, where the crew had kept a stove burning while they visited a tavern ashore. As the flames devoured her stern, the Anna Maria sank through the ice in the Stockholm archipelago.

Miley Cyrus, 'Twilight' sweep Teen Choice Awards
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Miley Cyrus rode a wave at the Teen Choice Awards. The teen queen sailed away with six surfboard-shaped trophies at Sunday's ceremony. Cyrus won for comedy TV actress and comedy TV show for "Hannah Montana," music/dance movie actress and hissy fit for the "Hannah Montana" movie, music single for "The Climb" and summer song for "Before the Storm."

Get Broadway series tickets
The Classic Center Theatre will release single show tickets for purchase for the 2009-10 Broadway Entertainment Series beginning 10 a.m. Friday at the Classic Center box office, 300 N. Thomas St.

Rapid change in late-night viewing
NEW YORK - David Letterman is king of late-night television again. You just won’t hear him or CBS crowing about it anytime soon — not after NBC gave the crown to Conan O’Brien based on one week’s ratings, much to their regret now.

Today's Best Bets
The Nashvillain Family Band - The Nashvillain Family Band plays old-timey bluegrass with modern influences like Neil Young and The Stooges.

'G.I. Joe' commands box office with $56.2M debut
LOS ANGELES - G.I. Joe is the latest toy to invade Hollywood and plant its blockbuster flag. Inspired by the Hasbro action figure, Paramount’s “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” took command of the weekend box office with a $56.2 million debut domestically, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Kind words - no pacts
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - President Obama and his counterparts from Mexico and Canada emerged Monday from a speed summit united on recession-fighting and Honduras' ousted leader but still divided on security and trade, the areas that most define their partnership.

Leaders to discuss swine flu, economy
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - When President Obama visited Mexico in April, the now-global swine flu epidemic - unbeknownst to the White House - had just begun here and an Obama aide returned home sick.

Protests, heavy security mark meeting
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - About 400 people marched outside the North American Leaders Summit on Sunday to protest the negative effects of free trade and to demand benefits for retired Mexican laborers who worked in the U.S.

Obama says health care overhaul will pass
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - A day before he faces a potentially boisterous town hall in New Hampshire, President Obama praised the spirited debate over his health care plans and predicted "sensible and reasoned arguments" ultimately would prevail in Congress.

Vast expanses of Arctic ice melt
TUKTOYAKTUK, Northwest Territories - The Arctic Ocean has given up tens of thousands more square miles of ice in a relentless summer of melt, with scientists watching through satellite eyes for a possible record low polar ice cap.

NYPD divers find body, wreckage
HOBOKEN, N.J. - Hudson River divers on Monday found the wreckage of a small plane and one of two victims missing following a midair collision with a sightseeing helicopter that killed nine people.

Report: Oil smuggled to refineries in U.S.
MEXICO CITY - U.S. refineries bought millions of dollars' worth of oil siphoned from Mexican government pipelines and smuggled across the border - in some cases by drug cartels expanding their reach.

Clinton snaps at Congolese student
KINSHASA, Congo - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's temper flared Monday when a Congolese university student asked for her husband's thinking on an international matter.

U.S. willing to hold talks with N. Korea
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration said Sunday it is willing to hold direct talks with North Korea over its nuclear weapons if it first resumes international negotiations.

Eight cities line up for swine flu vaccine test
ST. LOUIS - Hundreds of Americans in eight cities are lining up for experimental swine flu shots in a race to get a vaccine out in case the new flu virus regains strength this fall and winter.

Search suspended in crash over Hudson
HOBOKEN, N.J. - Federal officials on Sunday said divers have suspended their search of the Hudson River for bodies and debris in the midair collision that killed nine people.

Karzai leading in Afghan voter survey
KABUL - A U.S. government-funded survey of Afghan voters released Monday shows President Hamid Karzai with a substantial lead just 10 days before the country's presidential election, but still short of the support needed to avoid a runoff.

Mudslide buries Taiwanese village
TAIPEI, Taiwan - A mudslide touched off by a deadly typhoon buried a remote mountain village, leaving at least 400 people unaccounted for Monday, and military rescue helicopters unable to land because of the slippery ground dropped food to desperate survivors.

Iran president purges intelligence officials
TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tightened his grip on Iran's powerful intelligence services, ousting four senior officials in a widening purge against authorities who challenged the harsh crackdowns after June's disputed elections, lawmakers and media said Monday.

County to help fund youth center
The Athens-Clarke Commission and Athens Housing Authority have agreed to pony up $1 million apiece to convert a high school gymnasium into an after-school center for children and teens.

Police investigating drive-by, armed robbery
Athens-Clarke police are looking to see if a drive-by shooting early Monday morning was related to a home invasion armed robbery that happened soon after, and if the crimes had any gang connections.

Fight for fit clubs
A spy stole documents while collaborators spread misinformation. The boss sent underlings on search-and-destroy missions. He instructed subordinates to avoid attracting police attention. Those are some of the cloak-and-dagger claims in a lawsuit one local gym filed against another in Clarke County Superior Court recently, alleging its competitor used dirty tactics to try to run it out of business.

Forest thinned significantly at Watson Mill Bridge State Park
COMER - A hearty forest isn't always a healthy forest, but foresters and outdoorsmen agree that it does look better. For the first time in 20 years, Georgia State Parks officials are harvesting trees from Watson Mill Bridge State Park in the name of forest maintenance.

Arcade lays off workers
The city of Arcade laid off more than half its police force this week, leaving the town - long maligned by drivers as a speed trap - with only three law enforcement officers.

Teacher's video gets students to jam to grammar lessons
Crystal Huau Mills knows it's tough for 9-year-olds to focus on learning nouns and verbs - grammar can be too boring and technical to hold the attention of an energetic third-grader. So, to get the young scholars excited and to help them memorize a confusing and boring subject, she wrote a song.

Macon college to plant new botanical gardens
MACON - Macon State College isn't just replacing the trees and plants lost in last year's Mother's Day tornado. The college now is making plans to come back better than before, turning the campus into a destination botanical garden.

Commerce strand board plant seeks new air permit
Managers at the Huber Engineered Woods plant in Commerce have asked the state Environmental Protection Division to allow the plant to release more nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds into the air.

Two rail crossings to close for work
Workers with CSX Transportation will close two Athens streets later this week to work on railroad crossings, a spokeswoman for the Athens-Clarke Transportation and Public Works Department said.

Records: Sanford used state planes for personal trips
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, often bringing along his wife and children - contrary to state law regarding official use, an Associated Press investigation has found.

Some charters short on funds
ATLANTA - Nearly half of the Georgia charter schools examined in a new report are in financial trouble, suggesting a chronic problem that could lead to the schools shuttering.

Teenager arrested in athlete's death
ATLANTA - An 18-year-old man was arrested in Carrollton late Saturday and charged with manslaughter after the shooting death of a promising high school basketball player.

Health care town hall turns heated
CLARKSTON - Tempers flared as hundreds of people filed through heavy security Monday to pack one of the first metro Atlanta town hall meetings on the hot issue of overhauling the nation's costly health care system.

Deaths in the news: Marouf, Pannier
AMMAN, Jordan -Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's vice president died of cancer in an Amman hospital at the age of 80, relatives said Sunday.

Editorial: Downtown doesn't need detailed master plan
Within the passing strangeness of invoking a misguided 1978 master plan for downtown Athens while advocating for a new master plan - as the executive director of the Athens Downtown Development Authority did in a Sunday story in this newspaper - is contained an important lesson about planning.

Editorial: As a group, politicians will reap what they sow
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle made some good points in a meeting last week with the editorial board of the Savannah Morning News, when he was quizzed once again about the circumstances of his April departure from the Republican side of the 2010 governor's race.

Forum: Country could use some common sense
If ever there was a time for comprehensive health-care reform, it is now, and yet the forces of darkness are lining up against this urgent need, buttressed by lies, mobs inflamed by those lies, and millions of dollars changing hands and changing votes in Washington.

Pitts: Put the brakes on driving while texting
The amazing thing about the debate over the need for laws to ban texting while driving is that there is a debate over the need for laws to ban texting while driving (EDITOR'S NOTE: Georgia has no law banning texting while driving, and the state's only law regarding cell phone use in a vehicle prohibits bus drivers from using their phones while carrying passengers).

Cedar Shoals to hold scrimmage
Cedar Shoals will host Lakeside-Evans in a scrimmage on Friday at Waters-Wilkins Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5.

Luxurious Southern-style living!
For buyers seeking a distinctive Southern lifestyle in a premier golfing community, this home in The Georgia Club’s North Hill neighborhood is a best bet.

855 Parkview Drive
Buyers looking for an authentic Victorian home with artisan appeal will love this Queen Anne-style estate privately located on 5.5 scenic acres.

Hannah Heights
In the heart of the fastest growing area of Madison County is the area's newest subdivision, Hannah Heights. Drive out and take a look at these new "Everything Included" Craftsman-style homes.

150-year-old home with daylight apartment!
Located on the edge of downtown and only three blocks from The University of Georgia, this 150-year-old home on Finley Street is the perfect fit for buyers seeking an authentic Athens experience.

1100 Rowan Oak Circle
For exceptional value in luxury living, look no further than this five-bedroom beauty located in the exclusive Rowan Oak swim/tennis community.

Hardwood floors throughout!
Buyers looking for exceptional value on a spacious brick home with hardwood floors throughout will love this four-bedroom home located in the Olde Lexington Gardens neighborhood of eastside Athens.

No-maintenance living in Oconee County
Oconee County's serene Triple Creek neighborhood features the best in beautifully finished patio homes. Beautiful brick and hardiplank exteriors partnered with full landscaping services make Triple Creek the low-maintenance living option that you've been looking for.

Who Are the Seniors Real Estate Specialists®?
Elizabeth Thurmond has successfully completed the education program and has received the Seniors Real Estate Specialists® designation. SRES® are REALTORS® qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+.

Local Real Estate Firms Announce Merger Plans
Athens, GA - Local real estate firms ERA Classic City Realty and ERA United Realty of Atlanta have announced plans to merge operations, effective January 21, 2009. The combined firm will conduct business as ERA United Realty with offices located in Athens, Roswell, Marietta, Tucker, Conyers and Newnan.

Athens Area Association of REALTORS® Sponsors Toy Drive
The Athens Area Association of REALTORS® (AAAR) is holding a Toy Drive through December 16, 2008 to benefit Toys For Tots. The Athens Area Association of REALTORS® has supported the Toys for Tots Program for many years.

Matt Thomas & Atlas Sponsor Holiday Food/Toy Drive
Matt Thomas, principal and licensed Realtor with Atlas Real Estate Advisors, is hosting a food/toy drive and pics with Santa at his holiday open house on Sunday December 14th from noon until 5pm at MadiSun Park Subdivision in Danielsville, GA.

Bowles KOs champ in first
Due to an ill-timed back injury, Athens native Brian Bowles had to wait close to eight months for his shot at the World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight title.

Tourney honors Harvey's legacy
Hart County native Harvey Vollrath's long-held dream was to serve as the manager of the Hartwell Golf Club, but one of life's cruel realities stopped him in his tracks as he was just getting started.

White goes through first practice as one of best-paid receivers
FLOWERY BRANCH - Roddy White practiced for the first time Monday as one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Any pressure? "I've just got to go out there and do what I've been doing the last two years," said White, who rejoined the Atlanta Falcons after missing the first eight days of training camp in a contract dispute.

Vazquez stifles Dodgers to win fifth straight decision
LOS ANGELES - The Atlanta Braves left Dodger Stadium with a triple infusion of confidence for the stretch drive. Javier Vazquez won his fifth straight decision with eight solid innings, and the resurgent Braves beat the NL West leaders 8-2 on Sunday to take three of the four games in their weekend series.

DuPuy accepts Ortiz's explanation
NEW YORK - Baseball's No. 2 official takes David Ortiz at his word that over-the-counter supplements and vitamins likely caused him to wind up on a list of alleged drug users.

Tiger stalking Nicklaus, wins at Firestone
AKRON, Ohio - First came another signature moment from Tiger Woods, an 8-iron over the water that stopped a foot from the hole. Even more stunning was the meltdown that followed by Padraig Harrington.

Shaky Rollins holds on to win
RENO, Nev. - John Rollins overcame an early double bogey with a chip-in eagle, then survived a string of bogeys to shoot an even-par 72 and win the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open for his third career PGA Tour victory.

Lohse paces Cards past Reds
Kyle Lohse won for the first time since injuring his forearm more than 2 1/2 months ago, working six effective innings in St. Louis' victory over Cincinnati.

Chicago claims Rios off waivers
NEW YORK - Alex Rios showed up at Yankee Stadium and saw his name in the starting lineup Monday night. He left the ballpark a few hours later, on his way to join the White Sox and a pennant race.

Criticism shows respect for Paddy
CHASKA, Minn. - Tiger Woods didn't take much time to celebrate his 70th career victory on the PGA Tour, and not just because he was on Hazeltine National at dawn Monday to get ready for the PGA Championship.

DeAngelo is 'MeAngelo' no more
ASHBURN, Va. - Having been to the Pro Bowl twice, saddled with the nickname "MeAngelo" along the way, DeAngelo Hall is taking a more mature approach as he plans his next trip to Hawaii.

Stewart stays good at the Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - When the rain held off and The Glen heated up, Smoke was in his element. Tony Stewart won the rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen International on a steamy Monday, muscling an ill-handling car in the early going and then holding off Australian Marcos Ambrose over the final 25 laps for his Cup-record fifth victory at the famed road course.

Race washed out at the Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - Andy Lally will have to curb his enthusiasm for another day. Lally, a champion road racer with dreams of competing in NASCAR, was scheduled to make his first Sprint Cup start on Sunday. But a band of rain moved over the road course at Watkins Glen International and never lifted, forcing NASCAR to postpone the race until noon today.

Passing button boosts Briscoe
LEXINGTON, Ohio - Ryan Briscoe saw Scott Dixon eating up his side mirrors and knew he had no chance of holding Dixon off no matter how many times Briscoe hit the newly installed "Push to Pass" button on the steering wheel of his IndyCar.

'Big Baby' staying with Celtics
WALTHAM, Mass. - All summer, Glen "Big Baby" Davis waited for a new deal from the Celtics. When training camp grew near and he was still unsigned, he figured it might never come.

Rambis agrees to coach Wolves
MINNEAPOLIS - Long considered the heir apparent to Phil Jackson in sunny Los Angeles, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis is taking a much different, and colder, route to a head coaching job.

Harman, Mitchell picked for Walker Cup team
The United States Golf Association announced Monday that former Georgia All-Americans Brian Harman and Adam Mitchell have been chosen for the United States Walker Cup Team.

Pennetta cruises past Stosur in final
CARSON, Calif. - Flavia Pennetta took advantage of error-prone Samantha Stosur for a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the LA Women's Tennis Championships on Sunday, giving the Italian her second title of the year.

Star NHL rookie charged in robbery
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, the NHL's best rookie in 2008, was charged with robbery and other counts following an altercation with a cab driver in his hometown.